𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐆𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩

… 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔-𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏𝒔 𝒔𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒂𝒓 𝒊𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒑 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕

By Leki Chungdon

The College of Natural Resources (CNR), in collaboration with the Bhutan Ecological Society (BES) and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), successfully conducted a Farmers Entrepreneurship Training aimed at strengthening women farmers’ knowledge, skills, and leadership in sustainable agriculture. The program brought together 21 women farmers and one Extension Agent, focusing on how renewable energy-powered irrigation systems can enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability.

The training aimed to empower women with practical knowledge and entrepreneurial skills to maximize the use of renewable energy technologies in their farming practices. Participants engaged in interactive sessions, group discussions, and hands-on activities designed to strengthen their capacity for agribusiness development and resource management.

Tashi Dhendup and Nima Dolma Tamang, faculty members from CNR, served as the main resource persons. They guided participants through innovative approaches to agricultural entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of sustainable farming, financial literacy, and leadership in driving community-based agricultural transformation. The initiative sought to inspire women farmers to become agents of change within their communities by adopting renewable energy solutions and entrepreneurial thinking.

This program is not only about improving farming techniques but also about building confidence, leadership, and self-reliance among women farmers. By equipping them with the knowledge and tools to manage renewable energy-powered irrigation systems, the training marks a step toward promoting climate-smart agriculture and gender-inclusive rural development in Bhutan. Together, CNR, BES, and ICIMOD are cultivating leadership, resilience, and opportunity for women in agriculture, paving the way for a more sustainable and equitable farming future.

Tashi Dhendup from CNR said, “CNR is the only college under the Royal University of Bhutan (RUB) that specializes in natural resources management. Renowned for its academic excellence in agriculture, livestock, and forestry, the college integrates all three disciplines under one institution. While CNR continues to advance general agricultural education, recent years have seen a growing emphasis on agripreneurship- encouraging innovation, enterprise, and a business-oriented mindset within the agricultural sector.

This particular training program, conducted under the ICIMOD–BES project (with detailed information available from ICIMOD or BES), was technically supported by CNR experts as part of the college’s community service initiatives beyond its regular teaching mandate. Although Bhutan lies in the heart of the Himalayas, localized irrigation shortages continue to challenge many farmers.

The overarching goal of this project is to uplift the livelihoods of smallholder women farmers by ensuring year-round access to irrigation water through the installation of solar-powered irrigation systems in selected villages. Continuous access to irrigation water is expected to enhance agricultural productivity and strengthen local food security.”

He added that improved productivity alone does not ensure the sustainability of farming. For instance, even with reliable irrigation, the absence of viable market access can discourage farmers from continuing agricultural production. Recognizing this, the training encouraged participants to view their farms through a business lens.

Farmers were guided to assess their current crop calendars and farm incomes while learning about the broader importance of agribusiness in Bhutan. They then identified the most suitable crops for cultivation based on multiple factors, including irrigation availability, before participating in a hands-on workshop on managing farming as a business enterprise.

He further explained, “This training is particularly relevant because women are the principal actors in Bhutan’s agricultural sector. It is also timely, given that agriculture in Bhutan is gradually transitioning from subsistence to semi-commercial and ultimately commercial farming.

Women continue to play a central role in this transformation, serving as the backbone of rural livelihoods and food production for generations. Through initiatives such as the solar-powered irrigation project and agribusiness capacity-building programs, women farmers are evolving from subsistence cultivators into agri-entrepreneurs and decision-makers.”

He added that these programs not only provide access to reliable irrigation systems and modern farming techniques but also equip women with essential business and market management skills. As a result, they are increasingly able to plan effectively, engage with markets, and operate their farms as viable and competitive enterprises.

As Bhutan’s agricultural landscape advances toward greater commercialization, women are emerging as key drivers of innovation, sustainability, and community resilience- pioneering a more self-reliant and inclusive rural economy.

Namgay Dendup, Nature-based Solutions Specialist and Project Manager for WERELIS–Bhutan under ICIMOD, said, “The training was organized to empower women farmers as key agents of change in promoting sustainable agricultural livelihoods. Implemented under the Women Empowerment through Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (REEE) Powered Decentralized Lift Irrigation Systems in Bhutan (WERELIS–Bhutan) project, supported by ICIMOD, the initiative recognized the crucial yet often undervalued role of women in agriculture and community water management. Despite their central contributions, women farmers frequently lack access to entrepreneurial skills and renewable energy technologies. This program was designed to build their confidence, strengthen their business capabilities, and equip them with the knowledge to harness renewable energy solutions for enhanced farm productivity and income generation.”

He added that the initiative directly advances the core objective of WERELIS–Bhutan, linking renewable energy to rural women’s economic empowerment. By combining entrepreneurship training with renewable energy–based irrigation systems, the project demonstrates how clean energy technologies can alleviate women’s workloads, improve agricultural output, and create sustainable income opportunities. In doing so, it aligns closely with Bhutan’s national priorities of achieving carbon neutrality, food self-sufficiency, and gender-inclusive green growth.

During implementation, a few challenges surfaced. Many participants had limited prior exposure to entrepreneurship concepts, which required simplifying training modules and adopting practical, example-driven teaching methods. Logistical challenges in bringing together farmers from remote gewogs were addressed through close coordination with local administrations and the provision of travel and accommodation support. Balancing household responsibilities with training schedules was another consideration, managed effectively through engagement with local leaders and flexible session timings.

He also said, “Collaboration with the College of Natural Resources (CNR) and local agriculture extension officers ensured that both the technical and social dimensions of the program were comprehensively covered. Follow-up activities will include regular field visits and joint monitoring by the project team and extension officers to assess progress and provide continued guidance. The trained women farmers are encouraged to apply their skills through group enterprises focusing on water-efficient irrigation, crop diversification, and local produce marketing.

A simple impact assessment framework has been established to monitor outcomes related to income generation, technology adoption, and women’s leadership participation within their farmer groups. Based on the positive feedback and enthusiasm from the current cohort, there are plans to replicate the training model across additional project sites under the WERELIS–Bhutan framework.

Furthermore, discussions are underway to collaborate with the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Energy to expand similar initiatives to other parts of the country, ensuring that women farmers nationwide can benefit from capacity-building in entrepreneurship, renewable energy utilization, and sustainable farming practices.”

He also added, “Through initiatives such as this, women farmers are expected to transition from being primary producers to becoming agri-entrepreneurs and community change-makers. With improved access to renewable energy, knowledge, and professional networks, they can drive innovation in sustainable agriculture, value addition, and local market development. Over time, such empowerment will not only strengthen rural livelihoods but also elevate women’s leadership in advancing Bhutan’s broader vision for green, inclusive, and resilient development.”

Tshering Lhamo, an Agriculture Extension Supervisor, said, “Raising awareness and promoting outreach on solar lift irrigation systems is essential to help farmers, especially women, understand how such technologies can reduce physical drudgery and increase household income. Establishing pilot sites in selected model farms or community areas allows women to directly observe the benefits of solar-powered irrigation in improving agricultural productivity and efficiency. Hands-on training and skill development programs are equally important.

Organizing practical sessions for women farmers on system operation and basic maintenance will not only build their technical confidence but also ensure the long-term sustainability of these systems. It is also vital to integrate renewable energy technologies and women’s empowerment initiatives into the gewog annual plans. By providing women with technical skills, linking them to renewable energy technologies and markets, and influencing local policies to promote equal opportunities, we can create an enabling environment where women actively participate in and benefit from the renewable energy transition in agriculture. This integrated approach will empower women to become key contributors to sustainable farming and local economic development.”

Nima Dolma Tamang, Assistant Lecturer at CNR, said, “I conducted two separate sessions on crop calendars and crop selection. In the first session, participants received hands-on guidance to develop their own crop calendars, enabling them to plan planting and harvesting cycles more efficiently. The second session focused on the criteria for crop selection and its importance in improving household income.

Farmers were also introduced to the concept of cost–benefit analysis to help them make informed farming decisions. The training brought together women farmers of different age groups. Younger participants shared that the sessions were conducted at the right time and appreciated learning about product development and value addition.

Some expressed interest in exploring opportunities at startup centres in Thimphu and said they were inspired to venture into agribusiness. A few older farmers remarked that they had never received such an opportunity before and mentioned that they would encourage their children to pursue entrepreneurship instead of low-paying jobs. Overall, I found the participants to be highly receptive and motivated to take up entrepreneurial ventures in the future.”

He added, “From the baseline survey we conducted, one of the major challenges women face is limited involvement in learning and applying new technologies, possibly due to training gaps or societal norms. For instance, while manure application is typically carried out by women, fertilizer application and pump operation are often performed by men. This indicates a gender gap in technology adoption and decision-making within farming households.

I believe renewable energy–powered irrigation systems have the potential to transform subsistence farmers into commercial growers. Many farmlands lie in valleys adjacent to rivers, yet the water remains unused because traditional canal systems depend on gravity flow. As a result, farmers cultivating lower-level fields struggle to access irrigation water. With the introduction of solar-powered irrigation systems, farmers near rivers can pump water directly to their fields, ensuring year-round irrigation. This will prevent fertile land from lying fallow and allow farmers to maximize returns through continuous crop production.”

He further noted that while not all participants may pursue entrepreneurship, a few are likely to do so and these individuals will need targeted guidance and follow-up support. For example, one young farmer expressed strong interest in value addition. If she is provided with specialized training in food processing and product development, along with mentorship on accessing financial support, it could help sustain her motivation and success in agribusiness. Such support mechanisms are essential to transform training outcomes into tangible, long-term livelihood improvements.

Tshering Pem, a woman farmer, said, “I was very happy to receive the training, and I learned many new things from it. We were advised to avoid using chemical fertilizers and instead focus on organic manure. Earlier, we didn’t realize how the use of chemicals and improper manure could harm the soil. Although I haven’t yet applied what I learned, I plan to do so soon. I also hope to share the knowledge I gain with other farmers who couldn’t attend the training.”